Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-10-28
faIffax;; and kala.

faTffax, and said.
III promised to DO With you In Whatever
you undertook. will keep my word II you
insist upon it, It is not too late, even yet, for
you TO forego this unfortunate affair /, my
self, think it unnecessary, extremely i'm
practicable and dangerous, and, frankly,
idiotic as well us wicked"
Not line moved in his hearers impassivs
countenance.
That extraordinary individual had consid-
cred the entire matter in all its actual and
possible relations and contingencies; had
become excited to an unnatural and ex-
tremely unreasonable pitch OF mind, and
/, was resolved that nothing should deter him
from his undertaking.
Although somewhat startled at the sound
advice and solemn words Of the hitherto
hght-hearted Richard, and realizing, for y
moment, the folly Of his prospective deed
and the long list OF misfortunos and OWLS
that might follow in its train, no Immediate
ly steeled himself against the weakness of
the moment, and was once more the man Of
answering purpose and iron will.
'This man, Dick, must be won again.
am fast losing my hold upon him and must
regain 1t and mako it stronger. No half
hearted work will suflce at this late date,n
was his silent self-reasoning
Beginning in that plausible, seductive and
lrresistibly attractive manner Of his, he
gradually overcame Dicks conscientious
scruples; dulled his common sense, appealed
to his adventurous spirit, and thus began to
arouse his tagging interest in the matter.
Oxford, poor fellow although realizing
that his friend was about to embark upon a
very crazy and cowardly enterprise, was
yet unable to resist the extraordinary infu-
encc which this strange man welded over
him, and, step by step, yielded to tho mighty
will Of tho latter; until, once more, Fairfax
had most Jealous advocate in Richard.
About noon, with lazy cape, Fairfax re-
marked:
"Let US 60 out and watch for those
heavy Villains They must DO near at
hand.n
There soon appeared three strange men,
carelessly sauntering down the road, So
completely had they disguised them
selves that tho two watchers were unccr-
tain as to their Identity. However, as they
approached nearer, 1t was not difficult to
recognize the tones Of each voice.
Tho arch-conspirator took tho two seamen
aside and enlightened them as to tho part
they were to play. They appeared to be
wide-awsko characters, capable of hazard
GUS feat Of any kind. They readily entered
into the spirit Of tho occasion and consid-
cred the affair as jolly kind Of lark.
Meanwhile Richard--who had been thor
oughly instructed-in mysterious and melo-
dramatic tones, was initiating his valet into
the nature Of tho dutios which were to fall
upon him.
After some time spent in writing, Fairfax
examined the vehicle and found 1t in excel
lent condition. The harness also seemed
strong. Ono trace was little worn, and,
with an extra tug, might give way. A
piece Of stout cord quickly remodied this
defect The horse appeared to have entirely
recovered from his long journey Of the
night before.
One thing the anxious observer did not
like. A heavy black bank Of clouds was
rising in tho southwest-a low, dilatory
mass Of vapor that clearly betokened an ap-
preaching storm. Still, he thought 1t would
scarcely interferewith the fulillmcnt Of his
expectations and plans.
He went to the roadside to watch. Be-
tween three and four, he saw, away in the
distance, up the road, q carriage approach
ing. II contained Dimitri and Catherine, en-
route, no doubt, to mako preparations for Ma
talic, who then could not DO far behind them.
His heart began to quicken its beats
when he distinguished O horse gallop-
ing down the highway. Although strain